Thursday, March 31, 2011

People are Stupid

(BOD - Anne V)

The sun is shining, the thermometer is threatening to hit double digits Centigrade—which means the ladies of this line of latitude will soon be casting away the giant sweaters and unflattering sweatpants that mark the cold season for barely there short shorts and spaghetti strap T-shirts—and yet I find myself with a simmering rage for today’s column.


Why? Because the world is filled with an unconscionable number of people with extremely low levels of intelligence and it upsets me that I am forced to share the same air as these knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.

I realize this is primarily (I use that term loosely) a sports blog, but I really felt like I needed to weigh in on the following subjects as they produced a strong reaction when I read them. Moreover, the first issue was birthed from a sports-related story so it still somewhat applies to the blog.

Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays was the victim of a burglary at his rented spring training home a few days ago. It’s an unfortunate story where quite a bit of cash and the toys expected of a twenty-something male with a seven figure income were stolen while Longoria and his roommates (also members of the Rays) were at the field.

Why do I find this story upsetting? Because one of the items taken was an AK-47.

What?

Was Longoria’s house actually a front for a terrorist training camp? Why in the hell would any civilian ever have a reason to possess such a deadly weapon? What purpose does it serve?

I understand that Americans have the right to bear arms, but this is patently ridiculous. Literally the only use for an AK-47 is as a killing machine. Why are people allowed to possess these weapons legally? They should be used solely for military purposes only. There’s no way in hell a civilian should ever be able to get their hands on one.

And I don’t want to hear any bullshit about how Longoria might have grown up in a hunting culture where the possession of firearms is ok. I have no problem with hunting. But hunters can shoot animals perfectly fine with a rifle or a shotgun. They don’t need a sophisticated killing machine.

Bambi will still be dead after one or two bullets. You don’t need to litter a deer carcass with dozens of rounds in a matter of seconds or you’ll be picking bits of shrapnel out of your teeth while eating your succulent venison.

But Longoria needs to be able to protect his property, the American gun nuts will say. That’s what the police are for. Or a warning shot from your hunting rifle. Does the United States really need a bunch of amateur Rambos running amok ‘taking the law into their own hands’?

In sum, Evan Longoria is stupid for owning an AK-47 (and now some jackass burglar has it in the basement apartment of his grandmother’s house) and those who feel it is the right of every citizen to be able to own a deadly assault weapon is also a moron. And probably breathes through their mouth.

This next attack wasn’t even supposed to be included in this column, but I came across it randomly and couldn’t resist giving my two cents. My internet home page includes links to ‘lifestyle’ type columns and one of them dealt with women trying to change their men.

There’s nothing I cannot stand more than books and magazines with articles on how women can basically coerce and trick the men in their life to act the way they want. And there’s nothing stupider than a woman who believes such ridiculous shit and actually tries to employ some of the tactics (luckily, I don’t have to worry about this issue or such women).

The article is basically a how-to guide on dumb ways to change your man into Prince Charming (read it here).

My two favourite pieces of advice were the following:

If he doesn't open doors for you, and you hate this, just stay put (in the restaurant) until he comes back and opens it. It sounds ridiculous, but it works. And it's cute and funny.

Really? This is neither cute nor funny. It’s childish and you’ll look like an idiot. The big assumption is that the author thinks the guy will come back. If a woman ever tried to pull such a petty mind game with me, I’d smile at her through the glass, keep on walking to my car and relish the money I will save on gas not driving her dumb ass back to her place.

If you're meeting your man and he's in a rotten mood and doesn't greet you nicely, say, "Oh, I thought I was meeting my boyfriend who loves me." They'll get the hint and welcome you differently (and nicely.)

Oh, he’ll get the hint alright. And he’ll definitely welcome you differently. Hopefully something along the lines of, “Oh I thought I was meeting a sane, rational woman instead of a needy, uptight head case who will most likely spend the rest of her life alone because she acts like a child by throwing a passive-aggressive temper tantrum at every turn.”

Heaven forbid a guy is just maybe not in a good mood. Maybe he messed up at work, or one of his relatives is in the hospital or he just had a genuinely shitty day. Of course he should paste a fake smile on his face and not bother you with anything real because you’re a selfish bee-otch.

How the author actually got this drivel published in a book is beyond me. I love how she refers to her ‘boyfriends’ throughout the article. So, she’s not married and can’t seem to keep a man, yet she is the one giving advice to other women. Listen up, sweetie. If you keep pulling bullshit like this, all this talk of your ‘boyfriends’ will be the closest thing to a relationship you’ll be clinging to as you use your cats for warmth for the next thirty years.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Talkin' with Tewks Live - MLB Preview

(BOD - Elizabeth Taylor)

Unfortunately some audio problems felled CSzem's contribution to our 2011 MLB season preview (it's very choppy on his end), which means that all of you will be subject to Gretzpo's nonsensical ramblings in full. I apologize in advance.

We handicapped each of the divisions for reasons that have to do with baseball and other reasons that made no sense at all.

The biggest shocker comes at the end when we give Gretzpo the floor to discuss his beloved Blue Jays for 2011 and his prognostications may surprise you.

Talkin' with Tewks Live - MLB Preview

Enjoy.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Dose of Reality

(BOD - Nicky Whelan)

There’s an excellent chance that those of us here at Talkin’ with Tewks will have some sort of MLB preview on next week’s podcast and we will be forced to listen to the incoherent ramblings of Gretzpo as he somehow predicts another American League East title for the Toronto Blue Jays, while having zero knowledge of the rest of the league.


I figured I would use today’s column as a preamble to that conversation and dispense some realistic thoughts on the Jays’ 2011 chances before fanciful notions of World Series parades sidetrack any further discussions next week.

The catalyst for today’s column was news from Dunedin that Brandon Morrow would be placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 22, which means he is going to miss at least the first start of the season (more if there are any setbacks between now and then).

Obviously, I don’t think Morrow spending a short stint on the DL will lead to the ruination of Toronto’s season. However, a telling stat that most media types are quoting are Morrow’s innings pitched last year and his projected total for this season. He threw around 146 last season before being shut down at the beginning of September.

It was a cautionary move as the Jays brass doesn’t want to increase their young pitchers’ workloads by too much from season to season. By all accounts, Morrow’s ceiling for 2011 is approximately 180 innings. Now, I don’t know if the plan was to just let him go this season and shut him down whenever he his that mark or if they were going to have him skip a start here and there so he can stretch his workload to the end of September.

Here’s where I have a problem. Toronto has Morrow pegged as their number two starter this season. Can someone please tell on what playoff team does the number two guy only throw 180 innings in a season?

To field a team for the playoffs, you at least need your top two guys to throw over 200 innings. They are your workhorses, your losing streak stoppers. They are the guys the rest of the team depends on during the dog days of August. What kind of message will this send to the 2011 Blue Jays when Morrow is only allowed to go five innings against the Yankees on August 20?

I believe Ricky Romero will be allowed to throw 200 innings, but I guarantee Brett Cecil, Kyle Drabek and Jesse Litsch (coming off an injury) will not be allowed anywhere near that total.

Who’s going to step up and plug that innings gap? Jojo Reyes? The motley crue of old relievers—two of whom are currently not able to throw from the mound—or a committee of guys from Las Vegas?

I predict a good four months from the Jays, but then the wheels will fall off in August and September when Octavio Dotel has to make an emergency start at Fenway because the rotation’s young arms can’t handle the strain.

For the record, I agree with Jays management to bring these young arms along slowly, but I think fans everywhere predicting a 90 plus win season need to temper their expectations considerably.

I’m looking at you, Gretzpo.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Talkin' with Tewks Live - March Madness

(BOD - Dianna Agron)


Gretzpo and I forge ahead without CSzem's Rain Man-like sports knowledge and discuss the following:


- March Madness
- Brackets
- Morehead State
- Jimmer Fredette
- Barry Bonds' sexual prowess
- A Few Good Men
- BYU's Honour Code
- Matt Cooke and head shots
- Greg Anderson and prison
- Bonds' perjury trial


Talkin' with Tewks Live - March Madness


Enjoy.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Wickenheiser Doesn't Belong

(BOD - January Jones)

In an unprecedented occurrence on this blog, I am spending consecutive weeks discussing intercollegiate athletics, this time in my home and native land (I’m not sure what is accounting for my trips of nostalgia to the halls of higher education, but most of it undoubtedly stems from my longing of hanging out with drunk teenaged girls all the time).


Give me a moment to wipe a wistful tear from my eye.

Ok all done.

Hayley Wickenhesier, arguably the greatest female hockey player to ever put on a pair of skates, was named the top female university hockey player in the country last week for her stellar play this season with the University of Calgary Dinos. Wickenheiser, like a man among boys—er, a woman among girls—ran roughshod over the competition in the CIS by notching a remarkable 40 points in 15 games this season.

However, her first season in Canadian university hockey was defined largely by the negative reception Wickenheiser received during each and every game the Dinos played away from home. Crowds created signs, taunted her and one guy even poured a non-potent potable on top of her head. The adverse reaction stemmed from the fact that most people thought it was unfair for Wickenheiser to play at, let’s face it, a much lower level of hockey than she’s used to. There were concerns that she would completely dominate the action; concerns that were obviously fruitful.

What do you think, Tewks?

Well, I’m glad you asked. I think it’s patently ridiculous that Wickenhesier decided to play CIS hockey. What’s the point? What is she trying to prove? However, I don’t put the entire onus on her. The rules committee at the CIS really has to start doing some work and ensure that athletes of Wickenheiser’s calibre are forbidden to play varsity sports.

How can you have an Olympic athlete, and also a woman who played professional men’s hockey in Finland, playing against regular student athletes? The CIS has no stipulations in place to avoid such chicanery. I faced a similar situation when I played baseball at school. There was a pitcher from Concordia University who played Triple A in the Dodgers organization, got released, and somehow ended up playing on Concordia’s baseball team. He also threw 95 miles an hour. How is that fair?

So, the CIS should be admonished for even giving Wickenheiser the opportunity to play in the first place.

But don’t think you’re getting off scot free, Hayley.

Why on earth would you want to play at such a low level of hockey? Not to mention the fact you’re in your early thirties and playing against girls not yet legally allowed to drink gives you an egregious competitive advantage.

What do you have to gain by being a big fish in a comically small pond? You couldn’t just go to school and focus on your degree. Truthfully, to me, it looks like Wickenheiser is being a fame whore. She obviously had to know this would cause a media maelstrom considering her position in Canadian athletics.

Plus, as an athlete, I don’t see how it would be fun to dominate inferior competitors. It would get boring. I would want to be challenged night in and night out and be forced to step up my game. Wickenheiser seems to be chasing easy accolades.

And for those people saying she just wants to play hockey, there are a plethora or beer and/or intramural leagues she could play in away from the limelight of CIS hockey.

The award of the top player in the CIS just leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. It’s not even an impressive accomplishment. Of course the best player in the world should win it. I hate to say this, but this entire episode just shows a lack of heart and character on Wickenheiser’s part to me.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

CSzem's Corner: March Madness Preview

(BOD - Kentucky's favourite Groupie)

Tewks asked me to write a column for the start of the NCAA tournament, with some picks. Well, I shouldn’t say he asked me, because I pretty much volunteered. Such a great time of year shouldn’t go by without my voice being heard on the subject. As I recall, I embarrassed myself rather thoroughly last year during the Tournament (although I did pick Duke to win it all…..but that’s just because I’m a huge homer), so why not do it again.

I initially set out to do a full on picks column, but with 16 games slated for both today and tomorrow, I have neither the time nor the inclination to run down each of them individually. So let’s take a different run at this, as I’ll give my “upsets to watch for” and my picks to win each of the four regions.

EAST

Ohio St is the prohibitive favourite and are the #1 overall seed for the tournament. And with good reason. If you’re an NBA fan, and don’t typically watch college ball, get to know Jared Sullinger. He’s coming to an NBA court near you starting in the fall.

A popular upset pick in this region seems to be Indiana St., better known as “where Larry Bird went to school” (since they haven’t been good since then), but I think they’re in over their head against Syracuse. Everyone from the Big East (which includes the ‘Cuse) has basically been in an all out battle royal all season. They’re either tournament tested and will all be ready….or they’ve beaten each other up so badly that they’ve got nothing left.

So my upset pick is (ironically) a team that’s already won a game in this year’s tournament (that is, if you include the lame “play-in” games). Clemson (#12 seed) over West Virginia (#5 seed). Clemson is underseeded, and probably deserve a seed in the #7-#10 range.

Region Winner: Ohio St. Hate going with the “chalk” pick, but they’re just a better team than anyone else in this region. Kentucky and UNC are very dangerous, and loaded with talent, but their inexperience will bite them in the ass and the Buckeyes will move on.

WEST

You can probably guess where my pick is going in this one, so let’s talk about the upset.

A few interesting possibilities: One that a lot of people are talking about is Oakland University over Texas. Really interesting game, since I could legitimately see Texas losing, but I could also make an argument that they’ve got a shot to win the National Championship. They’ve shown, at various points in the year, an ability to beat ANYONE. I want no part of them for Duke in the Sweet 16, so I’m hoping Oakland takes them out.

Also watch out for UConn to take a tumble early. Everyone is all over this team after their miracle run in the Big East Tournament (5 wins in 5 days, never been done before), but I’m saying they shot their wad a tad early (and now they’ll have a big mess on their hands). This is a team, after all, that finished 9th in their conference in regular season play.

Region Winner: Duke

SOUTHWEST

An interesting region to me, because it has three teams that (as recently as 10 days ago) all had a legitimate shot at being a #1 seed in the tournament. Purdue stumbled with two bad losses and cost themselves, and then Notre Dame (which was looking like arguably the best team in the country) blew a 15+ point lead in the Big East semi. Throw in a team like Louisville (the team that beat Notre Dame in said game), and Georgetown (which I’ll get to in a second), and you’ve got a region that could be won by a number of different really good teams.

Upset alert: Everyone’s on the same one, and I can’t really argue. Richmond over Vanderbilt. Just seems like a pretty even matchup and a really tough draw for Vanderbilt as a #5 seed. Should be a great game.

The other one that’s very interesting for me is VCU v. Georgetown. When healthy, Georgetown has the ability to play with anyone in the country. But their best player (Chris Wright) has had trouble staying on the court. If he plays, they could win the region; if he doesn’t, they very likely go down first round.

Region Winner: Purdue. No respect as a #3 seed, when they were looking like a #1 very recently. I think someone else will do their dirty work and take out Notre Dame (I’m looking at you Florida State), leaving their path to the Elite 8 clear, and then they match up reasonably well with Kansas.

SOUTHEAST

A tough, tough region to peg, and here’s why: Pittsburgh is, far and away, the best team here. It’s really not even close. They’ve been absolutely gifted a path to the Final Four. But here’s where it gets tricky. For all of the regular season success Pitt has had over the last decade, they are tournament chokers, and consistently flame out in March. If they’re ever going to get over the hump, now should be the time, but I’m not so sure they’ve got it in them.

Upset Alert: Belmont over Wisconsin. I’m honestly not even sure this is an upset. Using some more “advanced” rankings, Belmont rates as high as the 15th best team in the country, yet somehow they’re a #13 seed here, which just goes to show you how terrible a job the committee does at seeding these teams. Wisconsin also just lost their last game 36-33 (seriously, that was the score for the whole game).

Region Winner: Pittsburgh. Get ready for chaos to happen in this region. Much like the Southwest, there are a tonne of teams that could come out of this region. Unlike the Southwest, it’s not because they’re all good, it’s because it’s a weak region. With that said, if Pitt plays to their abilities, they should breeze through here.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Talkin' with Tewks Live - Head Shots, Part Deux

(BOD - Emily Maynard)

Gretzpo is noticeably absent from today's podcast, so CSzem and I forge ahead to discuss the latest in the debate of head shots in the NHL. However, before we begin, we spend a few minutes discussing the finale of The Bachelor and the lucky lady above being picked for a reality romance.

We also talk about:

- NHL sponsors threatening to leave
- Zdeno Chara's hit on Max Pacioretty
- Crosby hits the ice
- Lemieux's letter
- Bettman's plan
- How to fix it?

Talkin' with Tewks Live - Head Shots, Part Deux

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Brigham Young University: Higher Education's Cockblock

(BOD - Irina Shayk)

As a former varsity collegiate athlete—whose sole purpose (besides embracing his inner Charlie Sheen and winning on the field of play) during his undergraduate studies was to coerce every willing coed within a 3 mile radius to engage in a spirited bout of premarital coitus—the big news out of Brigham Young University last week filled me with great sadness.


For those of you not in the know, Brandon Davies, a star sophomore for the BYU basketball team, was suspended for the remainder of the season for violating the school’s morality code of conduct.

A star player suspended? Less than month from the start of March Madness? Surely, he must have committed some type of heinous crime to warrant such a punishment?

Nope, he had sex with his girlfriend.

Apparently, BYU, founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, requires students to sign and abide by the school’s honor code which prohibits, among other things, alcohol and tobacco use and premarital sex.

A myriad of questions ran through my mind as this story hit the World Wide Web. First of all, how in the hell does the school know that he had sex with his girlfriend? Did he admit to it? Did someone see them? If someone saw, were they right up in there to witness penetration? Is oral sex allowed? Did she rat him out, which would cause her to get kicked out of school as well? Did the school look for, uh, proof, um, south of the equator? I need more information.

I wholeheartedly disagree with the honour code in the first place and I would never attend the school for that reason, but I can understand why BYU instituted it in the first place. They are a private university and can make any rules they want. It’s hard to feel sorry for Davies: he knew he wasn’t allowed to get it in while attending the school, but did so anyway.

Conversely, I can’t blame the guy for hopping on the good foot and doing the bad thing either.

I mean Davies is a Big Man on Campus. It’s practically a rite of passage for him to be laying more pipe than a second generation plumbing business.

I’m more surprised that BYU can actually field competitive sports teams with such a code in place. You think legions of horny teenagers would avoid the Utah campus like the plague. Who knows, maybe I’m just a degenerate pervert and the average population doesn’t care as much about such vices as I do. Too bad for them.

Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that Gretzpo and CSzem are going to get wind of this story and suddenly create their own personal moral code as their reasoning behind their woeful ineptitude with women back in college and subsequent lack of sexual activity?

However, In an era where schools try to tip-toe around NCAA regulations and athletes receive all types of preferential treatment, and administrators look the other way when stars are involved in seedy activities, it is refreshing that BYU is treating Davies like a regular student.

I just wish it was for something a little more serious than some meaningless sex.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Talkin' with Tewks Live - The Crying Game

(BOD - All the Way May)

CSzem and Gretzpo both joined me for a three man podcast. Highlights include:

- A special appearance by Jimmy Dugan
- Which Heat players cried after Sunday's game?
- How will the Heat fare in the postseason?
- Do single mom households lead to less testosterone production?
- What League of Their Own characters we'd sleep with and why
- Six degrees of Kevin Bacon
- Working out
- An off colour end to the podcast


Talkin' with Tewks Live - The Crying Game


Enjoy.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Weekly Banter - ... Major League 3, Toronto Maple Leafs

Viva Bianca as Llhityia in "Spartacus - Blood and Sand"

BOD - Viva Bianca ("I didn't recognize her with all those clothes on")


CSzem:



Of course, I’m talking about that guy who played “Wild Thing” Rick Vaughn (can’t place his name at the moment). Is it sad that out of the whole crazy series of interviews, the thing that has me most excited is that he says they’re making “Major League 3”…? Never mind that they actually already made Major League 3 (How pissed is Scott Bakula right now? He’s still alive, right?), or the fact that “Wild Thing” could probably barely crack a senior-ball game at this point, or the fact that he’s likely completely delusional and it’s not even happening……I’m still excited. “I want….Parkman.”


Slow news week in the world of sports. The NHL trade deadline came and went Monday, with barely a whimper. Basically TSN’s worst nightmare came true, with all of the trades leading up to deadline day making for a ridiculously dull 8+ hours of coverage. Evidently that didn’t stop record numbers of viewers from tuning in. How about scrapping Family Day, and replacing it with Deadline Day as a stat holiday? Although, really that’s like “Anti-Family Day” since I (along with millions of other men in Canada) would literally be ignoring our familial responsibilities for an entire day in favour of watching Bob McKenzie check his Blackberry and Pierre McGuire close-talking with everyone on the set.


Quick hit NHL thoughts:

1)
Who has a better shot of getting in the playoffs: NJ Devils or Leafs? (I say neither, but you’ve gotta pick one)

2)
Cup Finals will be _______ v. ________, with the winner being ________.

3)
Surprise playoff team (a la my Habs last year) will be __________.

Gretzpo:

I'm excited to see what will happen to Charlie Sheen ... will he go the way of Robert Downey Jr, get sober, and re-invent his career? Or will he just keep spiralling downward until he finally implodes ... let's be honest here... it wouldn't shock anyone if tomorrow's headline was "Sheen Found Dead in Cocaine Haze with 14 Prostitutes"


"I tell you what - if you can hit it, you can name it."

"How about 'The Masturbator'?"


The only thing that could have been funnier than the Major League 3 comment is if he would have come out and said "We're making a sequel to 'Hot Shots'." Which, of course, was already done... and starred Charlie Sheen...


If Major League 3/4 were to happen, I'd be just as intrigued to see who they'd bring back to play Willie Mays Hayes. Would Wesley Snipes trade in his superhero costume? Or would Omar Epps trade in his labcoat?


That and Jake Taylor ... did you see Tom Berenger in "Inception"? I legitimately thought he was wearing a fat suit and that was part of the whole 'dream-like sequence':


"In the 4th level of the dream, the guy from Platoon and Major League weighs 300 pounds."


One thing's for sure... everyone can agree they could use more Roger Dorn back in their lives... "enough of this olay bullshit!"


I follow the trade deadline now purely for the over-reaction of Leafs fans to every move. Will they be "buyers" or "sellers"? The fact that this team is fooling anyone into labelling them anything other than "awful" is a miracle. With the exception of their win over the Habs, all of their points have come against substandard/injury plagued teams, and when they meet Philly this week they're going to get blown out. I'm going with the hot hand and say the Devils have more of a shot ... but at the end of the day the Sabres will pass the Hurricanes, and it will be Buffalo and NYR in the 7th and 8th seeds, respectively.


Cup Finals will be: Vancouver vs. Philadelphia ... with the winner being Philadelphia.

Surprise playoff team will be: Buffalo.


CSzem:

The thing about Sheen right now (and I find this hilarious, by the way) is that unlike every other famous person who’s been “caught” in these types of situations, he’s not even remotely showing any sense of remorse or desire to “get better”. He’s not even saying that he wishes he could change. He literally just wants to live this way until he’s 90. Let’s put our Devil’s Advocate hat on for a second: Is it really THAT crazy for a person – who clearly has the means to do so – to live however they choose, regardless of society’s view on the immorality of it all? Obviously, the question of legalities is relevant, but assuming (for the sake of the argument) no laws are broken, is it our job to tell him to change? If you had all the money you could ever need to support whatever lifestyle you chose, how would you live? I’m not suggesting you’d live your life exactly the way he does (although I’m not NOT suggesting that), but wouldn’t you only do things that you really, really enjoyed? Obviously, for Sheen that list is headed up by hookers, cocaine….and winning.


No one who is actively working is coming back for Major League 3, so that means Epps and (I guess) Snipes are out. So we’ll have a replacement Willie, once again. Roger Dorn seems like a lock to come back, unless he’s upset about it being called Major League 3, since y’know, he was already in that movie once.


I agree with your assessment on who will end up in the playoffs, as the Sabres are playing better than Carolina, Atlanta, and the rest right now. Your call of them as a “surprise” team makes no sense though, when you’re picking the Flyers to win the Cup. That means that (at best) the Sabres upset the #2 seed (looking like Boston or TB), and then lose to the Flyers. Obviously that first round series would be an upset, but I don’t think it would be earth-shattering. It’s pretty much a fact of life in the NHL that at least one (most likely more than one) division winner is going down in the first round.


With that said, it does seem like we’re due for a “chalk” type year, so I’m not arguing with your Vancouver v. Philly Cup Finals. Those have been the clear-cut best two teams all year, and I think they’re both equipped for the run. I’ll take the Canucks, though.


Gretzpo:

That was certainly a lot of words ... you're pulling your weight a lot more than me this week.


Quick hitter:


Prediction for tonight's Leafs / Flyers game?


I think the Flyers are going to knock the Leafs down a peg. They haven't played a team the calibre of the Flyers in weeks, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Flyers won by 3-4 goals.


CSzem:

Amazingly enough, I’m going to disagree. I just don’t see it. The Leafs have been a tough out for EVERYONE for the past little while. They haven’t lost in regulation since February 12th (8 games), and while they may not have beaten a team on the Flyers’ level during this run, we just established that only the Flyers and Canucks exist on that level. They HAVE beaten a number of playoff teams including my beloved Habs, the Penguins (injury-ridden yes, but still 4th in the East), Boston (who looks a lot like the 3rd best team in the league), and Buffalo. So it hasn’t been all Islanders, Thrashers, Panthers.


If the Leafs DO get smoked tonight, I’ll say it has more to do with going on the road, in a back-to-back situation, to play against the best team in the conference. There’s lots of teams that would get killed in that scenario. (I can’t believe those paragraphs just happened)


The best (worst?) part of this is that we’re posting it after the game has happened. How did it seem like a good idea to get onto this line of questioning? We’re almost guaranteed to look like idiots. Although, I think I managed to set things up so that if:


a) The Leafs win, I can say “See, I said they were playing well.”


b) They lose a close game, I can say “I told you they’d play them tough.”


c) They get shelled, I can say “Well, I said that might happen.”


So I think I’m covered.


Gretzpo:

The correct answer for a prediction of tonight's game was "pain".


Lovin' those streaking Habs right now. Considering the Bruins are only a season removed from one of the greatest sports embarrassments in history (blowing that 3-0 lead against the Flyers last season) you can't really put much confidence in their ability to close that Northeast Division.


Is James Reimer for real?


It appears as though I ask more questions than I answer in these banters ... probably because outside of baseball (and football) my sports knowledge and interest is actually quite limited.


"What do you know about Gretzpo? Do you know he doesn't even really like sports?"


I've also recently been watching 3 hours of "Spartacus" a night. And I know that you're not looking to pick up any new shows... because you have real life responsibilities like a wife and a child... but this show is fantastic. Every episode is the same:


Graphic Battle / Female Nudity / Graphic Sex Scene / Sword fight / Tough Guy Talk / Flashback Sex Scene / Revenge Kill


Plus you get to see a whole lot of naked Lucy Lawless. Which, honestly, would have excited me a lot more ten years ago... but she's still got it.


*** Update at time of posting - the Leafs (much like Ivan Drago) are for real.

Drunk on the Job

(BOD - Jenny from the Block. She used to have a little, now she has a lot.)

As a self-proclaimed athlete who possesses absolutely zero transcendent talents or abilities, I really want to hate Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. I want to hate that he is, by all intents and purposes, a raging alcoholic with the soft doughy physique of a frat boy still trying to relive his university party days by drinking a 2-4 every weekend and hitting on girls born after 1990.


And yet, despite all of his extracurricular activities and the musculature of Buddha, he is still one of the best hitters in the game of baseball. Even in my dreams I am not as good a baseball player as Cabrera is after an all night bender and that’s a very tough pill for me to swallow. I literally cannot comprehend how talented the man is at his job.

When I’m wasted or hungover, I barely have enough mental acuity and coordination to turn on the TV to watch Saved by the Bell reruns, let alone try to hit a major league calibre fastball.

After Cabrera’s latest run-in with the police—where he was pulled over with an open bottle of scotch on the front seat, pulled the “Don’t you know who I am?” card and refused a breathalyser test—there was a groundswell of support in the media and from fans that Miggy seek professional help for his addiction to alcohol.

The last time Cabrera’s out of control drinking was made public was two years ago when he pulled an all-nighter getting lathered up before the most important game of the 2009 season for the Tigers.

I sincerely doubt that these are isolated incidents and I’m sure Cabrera has been boozing heavily since then out of the prying eyes of the 24 hour news cycle.

Interestingly, the call for Miggy to enter a rehabilitation program ended after he reported to spring training and proceeded to crush balls all over Lakeland, Florida in batting practice. I hadn’t heard Cabrera’s name in the news for a few days until he hit a screaming double to the base of the wall against the Blue Jays.

This led me to a thought: will anyone truly force Cabrera to seek help if his on-field performance doesn’t suffer?

There is a litany of baseball players who played great while assisted by a variety of recreational substances (Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle immediately spring to mind).

Do the Detroit Tigers really care about Cabrera’s well-being or do they care solely about his production on the field? It appears as though Detroit will turn a blind eye if Miggy goes for 30, .300, 100 this year. Of course, if he hits .250 and leaves a legion of runners stranded on the basepaths, then it’s time to seek treatment. Until that time, the drinks are on the house.

Now was the above discussion on Miguel Cabrera just a thinly-veiled excuse to talk some sports before weighing in on the delightfully entertaining train wreck that is Charlie Sheen? Maybe.

Over the past week, Sheen has provided sound bite after sound bite of just pure comedy gold. Besides the fact that he looks like a 65 year old man, his assaults on everyone and everything and his claims that he’s fuelled not by drugs, but by Tiger blood and Adonis DNA (hey, me too!), have me breathlessly checking cyberspace for the next update.

Apparently, he’s been clean and sober for a couple of weeks now, but it’s evident that the cornucopia of drugs he’s snorted, injected and tasted over the years has permanently crossed his mental wiring.

It’s really too bad he has kids because otherwise this would be a great story of a man living the dream. He lives in a mansion, makes ungodly sums of money, does whatever he wants with zero consequences and enjoys the company of two skanks half his age. Why am I not a famous actor again?

The call for Charlie to seek help by CBS et al. rings hollow to me and is similar to the trials of Miggy Cabrera. No one said anything about Sheen’s rampant drug use and partying when he was turning Two and a Half Men into ratings gold and making huge gobs of money for everyone involved.

But now that the show’s been cancelled and the gravy train has stopped, everyone is concerned about his well-being? I call bullshit.

It’s amazing that guys like Cabrera and Sheen can perform their jobs at such a high level when intoxicated and it’s shameful that their bosses only want them to get actual help if there’s a chance of their performances suffering.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Talkin' with Tewks Live - Survivor and Jersey Shore

(BOD - My favourite Spartacus slave)

Wanting to depart from the confines of the sports world, Gretzpo and I discuss our passion for reality television with a dissection of the newest season of Survivor and the apparent freefall of Jersey Shore over the past few weeks.

We also weigh in on CSzem's curious absence.

Talkin' with Tewks Live - Survivor and Jersey Shore

Enjoy.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Weekly Banter - ... Short Week



BOD - Sue Ellen Mischke


Short week with the Family Day holiday meant less time for mine and CSzem's workday drivel. Well... I guess not all of it is drivel... only some parts... what parts? ... The drivel parts. I can't say that word and not think of that classic Seinfeld dialogue between Alton Benes and George Costanza. On to the banter...

Gretzpo:

Email banter this week?

I'm not sure how much more I can talk about inflating Jose Bautista's, Travis Snider's and Brandon Morrow's 2011 projections.


Going to the Raps v. Bulls game tonight at the ACC ... although I'm confident only one of those teams will show up. **Note in complete hindsight: they won!


I haven't even watched a Raps game on TV in years ... I think the last game I went to in person was with Tewks against the Atlanta Hawks... I met Jack Armstrong...


"Hey! Jaaack Ahmstrhong!!!"

"Hey! How you doin'?"

(Silence)


I really fucked that interaction up ... I really wasn't expecting the level of sincerity in his voice... he may have actually cared how I was doing... and that surprised me...


A short list of celebrities I've met:



Jarome Iginla (as classy as you'd expect)


Marc Savard


Mike Vernon (a bit stand off-ish ... granted, he did just blow a 3 goal lead in the third period, so maybe give him the benefit of the doubt...)


Lanny MacDonald (what a fantastic moustache...)


John MacDonald's wife (Laura? ... You were there... you should remember... we exchanged pleasantries and canned goods)


JP Ricciardi... even if it was a simple "yo" after I yelled out his name when he was walking out of the Rogers Centre


I'm sure there are others...


Are you watching Survivor this season? I tuned in to see the Russell / Rob clash ... but am sticking around to see the implosion of Phillip... that guy's awesome.

CSzem:

I’m saying yes to e-mail banter. And frankly, I think you’ve got a lot of usable material in there. So consider that the first post. Besides, how are we going to gradually seize control from Tewks unless we out produce him in terms of content for the blog? Once upon a time, this was Gretzpo’s Sports Blog. And now that a much more talented (read: cocky) writer has taken it to new heights, it’s time to take it back. (And for the record, I know for a fact that you can talk a great deal more about inflated projections for Jays’ players)

Jack Armstrong absolutely cared how you were doing. Now, if it was Leo Rautins, he might have punched you in the face and taken your wallet (actually Leo Rautins seems like a good guy too).
I thought it was “Laura” when we met Mrs. John McDonald (“We’re really excited about your husband getting more playing time.” “Us too.”), but I think I’ve heard her referenced as “Lara” on some Jays broadcasts. Our entire relationship was built on a lie now. Although, it would allow me to say “Hey Lara, is John McDonald nice in real life?” (It’s either a really good thing, or a really bad thing that literally none of the readers just got that joke….but you did, Gretzpo, and that’s good enough for me)
I can’t believe you forgot that time we ambushed Aaron Hill and Reed Johnson as they were leaving a men’s washroom in Florida. “HEY! You’re Aaron Hill and Reed Johnson!!” Sadly, with Aaron Hill’s severe concussion just a few short months later, he has no recollection of the encounter.

I am totally on board with this season of Survivor. Phillip is absolutely insane, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

This hasn’t been funny enough, we need to take it in a different direction. Talk to me about the disheveled state of the NBA. This is a league where players can totally control where they want to play, and essentially hold their teams (and their fans) hostage. How can Deron Williams look himself in the mirror tomorrow knowing that he basically forced the longest tenured coach in all of sports (Jerry Sloan) to resign, only to (seemingly) orchestrate his own exit just a few short weeks later? And how is it that the “Melo-Drama” took 7 months, and the Williams deal happened in 3 seconds?

Gretzpo:

The inmates are running the asylum.

So, honestly, what are the chances that any NBA player will ever want to play in Toronto, ever? If collusion and selfishness are what's building the "superpowers" of the league, why would anyone spurn LA, New York or Miami to play in Canada, with all of it's difficulties for American players. (Currency, taxation... etc. You know... all that crap Antonio Davis whined about when he played here.)

Although, let's be honest ... our two marquee free agent signings in the organization have been Hedo Turkoglu and Hakeem Olajuwon's corpse. And Anthony Parker from Israel. Let me know if I'm missing anyone.

But can we really blame the athletes?

You've said yourself you were seriously considering colleges in the States ... I went to school in Budapest, and am looking to re-locate to the UK for my job... why would we expect athletes to not look for greener pastures, just like us?


*** to be continued... or something much more exciting could happen and we'll abandon this line of questioning altogether.